Starting tomorrow, February 10th, the government will open applications for the 'Aswesuma' welfare benefits program, aiming to select an additional 400,000 beneficiaries.
The Ministry of Finance announced that the selection criteria would undergo revisions based on recommendations from various stakeholders.
In a bid to provide better support to vulnerable groups, the government has decided to retrospectively increase the monthly allowances for disabled persons, kidney patients, and elderly citizens, effective from January 2024. Under the new adjustments, allowances for kidney patients and disabled persons will rise from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,500, while elderly citizens will see their allowances increase from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 3,000.
State Minister Shehan Semasinghe disclosed on Thursday, February 8th, that beneficiaries eligible for these enhanced allowances under the 'Aswesuma' program would be identified within the first quarter of 2024. The increased payments are set to commence on April 1st, providing crucial financial relief to those in need.
